When I was trying to come up with a title, I was thinking “State of Affairs” or “Making a Statement” or somesuch oh-no-she-didn’t-now-I-have-to-roll-my-eyes nonsense. Which reminds me. Have y’all seen Fred Smoot when he introduces himself on Monday Night Football and says, “Fred Smoot, cornerback, THE Mississippi State University”? I don’t know why I just thought of that, but I did, so there.
Okay. Moving on.
Many of the forties of you who visit here went to State. Some of you went to Ole Miss, but we really don’t hold it against you, because State folks are, as a rule, very welcoming, accepting and gracious. But we do pray for you.
Seriously, I’ve had a couple of moments lately – and I think it’s due in large part to the time of year – where I have had vivid memories of Starkville. Now I know that sportscasters and sportswriters like to make fun of Starkville and say things like “the name says it all” or use the word “rural” five times in one paragraph or question why any sane person would choose to attend college in such a small town, but y’all, I just thought it was perfect. It was a wonderful place to spend four five six years. I have such happy memories…and I imagine most of you do, too.
So, here’s the question. What are the three things that, for you, stand out from your time in Starkville or Oxford or wherever you went to college? What are the places or experiences that “sum up” that time of your life?
By the way, I think all of us have moved on – and I’m certainly not advocating that we wade neck-high into the river of “remember when” – but it’s fun to think back on that time and appreciate it.
My three? Just for the record? Why thank you so much for asking.
1. The Hump
2. Driving through Five Points on Friday afternoons in the fall and being surrounded by RV’s and campers
3. Fried cheese from The Grill. Or Harvey’s. But definitely fried cheese because really, when you take a fat-laden product, batter it, and deep fry it, you multiply its delicious goodness.
Honorable mention: sweet tea at Bulldog Deli, Oby’s, riding out to The Refuge on a spring day, and watching Broadcast News 4,279 times. Just an estimation.
Yours?
1. Going to Harvey’s to eat…anytime, but usually after we sold our books during exam week in order to have enough money to pay for the meal.
2. Snickers Bar Pie at The Grill.
3. Living in the Chi O House and having all your friends close, walking downstairs to eat all your meals (except when you went to Harvey’s or The District Grill!)and hearing about all the goings-on from frequent visitors to your room.
I had forgotten all about selling books. The best was when you were in a science class, because those always got big bucks when you sold them. Taco salad at the Chi O house was great. We had really bad coffee, though. And bad tea, too.
The sweet stench of stale beer at The Landing
Standing for homecoming candidates during dinner while they were “campaigning”
Driving to The Refuge, just singing.
Ew, Landing, ew. Ewwwwww. :-)
Hey, I met my husband at The Landing; do not blaspheme it! :)
Have time for just a few right now, but there are so many:
1. Ranch dressing and little pizzas at the Chi O house.
2. South Farm at the first hints of spring.
2. House of Death cheese sticks.
3. Basketball at the Hump–Mississippi State Style.
4. Afternoon nap time in the Chi O house.
5. J says I have to say Grill wings, which he loves.
Okay – I’m listing more than 3 and I’m really going to date myself, but here goes:
1. Resting my elbows on the stage while watching Billy Joel perform in McCarthy Gym (The Hump was under construction).
2. The Grand Opening of The Hump. We were beside ourselves with major network televised basketball games (before ESPN/sports networks existed) and really great concerts – Boz Scaggs, Leon Russell, James Taylor, and Billy Joel, who loved us enough to make a return visit. :)
3. Springtime at State. ‘Nuff said.
4. The Chapel. Hearing the carillion ring out the Alma Mater.
5. Road Trips. Any and every type.
6. Greek Life. :)
Sister – excellent 3, 4, and 5. And if Billy Joel or James Taylor were to perform at The Hump tomorrow, I would find a way to be there. I did get to see Garth Brooks and Martina McBride (who flat-out cried when she realized that State students actually knew her songs) at The Hump, thanks to you, and that’s a mighty fine memory itself. And Daph – I had forgotten about the little pizzas with Ranch dressing. OH that was some good Ranch dressing. I almost put Allgood’s hamburgers on my original list – but then I remembered that they weren’t very good on their own – it was just the circumstances under which they were eaten. Sort of like fried chicken and potato logs from BQuik. :-)
I am now thinking about road trips…I’ll get to work on that ASAP.
1. The Landing
2. The Chi Omega house
3. The Landing
Really there are too many to mention. I LOVED my college experience. I wish I could go back and do it all over again, with the same people of course.